Girrakool to Patonga

And Walk

Girrakool to Patonga

Girrakool Picnic Area

Girrakool picnic area is a wonderful family destination, just 5 minutes’ drive from Kariong. The picnic area provides all the necessary facilities for a full day’s activities, including barbecues, tables, shelters, water and toilets. National Park fees apply. The main picnic area is on the eastern side of the car park, and smaller, older picnic area is at the north-eastern corner of the car park. The southern Girrakool picnic area is located near the toilets. The picnic area is dedicated to John ‘Jack’ Higgs, the first superintendent of Brisbane Water National Park, and Mrs Vera Murdoch, who provided the funds. ‘Girrakool’ is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘place of still waters’. More info.

(0km) Girrakool picnic area car park → Int of Picnic Area and Girrakool Loop tracks

230 m
5 mins
0m
-27m

Easy track

(0.23km) Int of Picnic Area and Girrakool Loop tracks → Broula Lookout

30 m
1 mins
0m
-2m

Easy track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk leaves the main footpath and follows the rocky track to the signposted ‘Broula Lookout’ a short distance away. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

Broula Lookout

Broula Lookout is fenced and a fairly short walk down from the Girrakool picnic area. Over time, the trees in the area have grown, filtering what would otherwise be a great vantage point for the Piles Creek waterfall. Broula is an Aboriginal word referring to a place of trickling water.

(0.23km) Int of Picnic Area and Girrakool Loop tracks → Illoura Lookout

40 m
1 mins
0m
-6m

Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Girrakool Loop’ sign down along the stone path. The path soon heads down some steps and comes to a fenced and signposted ‘Illoura Lookout’.

Illoura Lookout

Illoura Lookout, Brisbane Water National Park, can be found a short walk south-west of the Girrakool picnic area, following the Great North Walk sign. This lookout provides a filtered view up and down the Leask and Piles Creek junction. There is a view of a waterfall from Piles Creek. Illoura is an Aboriginal word referring to a pleasant or peaceful place.

(0.27km) Illoura Lookout → Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks

1.1 km
27 mins
47m
-83m

Moderate track

Turn left: From Illoura Lookout, the walk follows the left-hand ‘Piles Creek’ and GNW arrow down the wooden steps (keeping the valley to the right). The track soon passes a ‘Caution Low Water Level Crossing Only’ sign and crosses Piles Creek using the concrete stepping stones (the creek may be impassable after rain). The track then opens up on an unfenced rock platform, at the top of the waterfall.
Veer left: From the top of Piles Creek waterfall, this walk follows the track heading south away from the waterfall (keeping the big valley to the right). The clear track winds through the thick bush crossing a few small tributaries and though four sandstone caves. The caves provide good shelter and a great spot to rest. The track then flattens out and comes to a 3-way intersection and a ‘Girrakool’ sign.
Continue straight: From the intersection, the walk heads south along the wide track in the opposite direction of the ‘Girrakool’ sign. Soon the track heads down a short wooden staircase to the intersection at the bottom (Piles Creek Lookout visible to the right).

(1.38km) Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks → Piles Ck Lookout

20 m
1 mins
0m
-8m

Moderate track

Turn right: With the stairs to the right, this walk follows the short track to the fenced lookout. There are a few steps that then lead down the the lookout platform. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn sharp right.

Piles Creek Lookout

Piles Creek lookout (not formally named), Brisbane Water National Park, sits high on the ridge, east of Piles Creek and north of Rat Gully. This lookout provides views over the Piles Creek valley and can be enjoyed from behind a fence. The valley is surprisingly steep at this point and the views downstream are quite extensive.

(1.38km) Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks → Monolith Cave

80 m
2 mins
16m
0m

Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the steps and lookout to soon pass a rock wall. A short time later the track leads through the cleft in a rock to reveal a cave on the right.

Monolith Cave

Monolith Cave is an informally named cave and interesting rock formation high on the ridge east of Piles Creek and North of Rat Gully in the Brisbane Water National Park. The cave is a fairly large sandstone overhang on the edge of the track. The cave provides shelter for walkers and is a great spot to rest and enjoy the area. This rock and the more Monolithic rock about 60m to the south are interesting to explore, and provide great views of the surrounding area. Take great care if exploring the rocks.

(1.46km) Monolith Cave → Rat Gully Lookout

220 m
7 mins
13m
-29m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the cave, this walk heads south following the track away from the rock to soon come to another large and interesting monolithic rock. Soon after this large rock the track starts to head down the hill to come to an old fenced lookout, looking over Rat Gully.

(1.68km) Rat Gully Lookout → Scopas Peak

3.4 km
1 hr 26 mins
285m
-114m

Hard track

Continue straight: From the lookout, the track follows the bush track heading downhill. The track soon does a sharp left hand switch back (at the ‘Girrakool’ sign) and continues down to Rat Gully. The track then crosses the creek and boulder field following the cut steps (and passing the old bridge). On the other side the track heads right, under the fallen tree and then climbs up the hill. After a short meander through the bush the track drops down and crosses another gully (passing a sign pointing back to ‘Girrakool’) and coming to a ‘Great North Walk’ signpost and intersection.
Turn sharp left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Patonga Ferry’ sign[4] up the side of the gully, keeping the intermittent creek[5] to your left. The track leads past a ‘Patonga’ sign then winds steeply up the hill for about 130m, through a cleft in the rock[6] and past a few rock walls, and then the track mostly flattens out with some filtered distant views[7]. The track continues gently uphill for another 300m, becoming progressively flatter[8] before passing along the side of a long rock wall[9], with a tall sandstone overhang[10]. The track then crosses a small gully and leads past another overhang, where the track begins to lead downhill. The rocky track winds steeply downhill for about 130m to then cross an intermittent creek which flows over the solid sandstone platform[11].
Continue straight: From the west side of the creek, this walk climbs uphill following the rocky track[12]. The track climb for about 600m, fairly steeply for a while then becoming progressively less steep[13]. The track passes a couple of rocky outcrops[14] to then come to a large flat rock platform, with distant views[15]. The rocky track then leads off this rock platform and continues up the ridge[16] for just shy of 300m to come to the edge of a much larger rock platform[17] with more views. A series of GNW arrow posts lead across this rock platform, generally leading towards Scopas Peak[18] for about 400m where the arrows lead off the rock platform and back onto a heathy track[19]. Keeping Scopas Peak up to the left, this track leads around the side of the hill for about 150m to pass a view across the valley to Mooney Mooney Bridge[20]. Over the next 800m, the track leads up across a few more rock platforms[21] then climbs fairly steeply up to a view point, just to the west of Scopas Peak[22].

(5.11km) Scopas Peak → Int of GNW and Wondabyne trail

2.3 km
45 mins
54m
-107m

Hard track

Veer left: From the view point[23], just west of Scopas Peak, this walk heads south steeply down the rocky track[24], initially keeping the distant view to your right. The track leads steeply down past a few rock walls[25] then climbs down over some rocks with cut steps[26], enjoying more views[27] for about 230m, and then the track mostly flattens out to lead gently down across the narrow saddle[28]. The track gently undulates along this ridge for about 750m to come to a green painted metal box on a post (on your left), containing a Great North Walk intentions book[29].
Continue straight: From the Great North Walk intentions book[30], after leaving your comments, this walk heads south, gently downhill[31] along the clear track. After about 150m, the walk comes to a T-intersection[32] with the Gosford Rifle Range trail – At this intersection is a ‘Girrakool’ sign[33], pointing back along the track.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[34] downhill along the management trail[35] (directly away from the ‘No Entry Past This Point’ sign[36]). The trail undulates moderately steeply in a few places) along the ridge line for about 900m, to then walk over a large rock platform[37]. From the top of this platform, there are some distant views over Mooney Mooney Creek[38]. On the large rock platform, this walk tends left to follow the scrape marks on the rock and soon find the wide trail again[39]. The trail leads downhill for about 50m, coming to a signposted intersection with a track on your left[40] and a ‘Girrakool’ sign[41] pointing back up the trail.

(7.4km) Int of GNW and Wondabyne Station Trail → Kariong Brook crossing

2 km
47 mins
64m
-211m

Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Patonga’ sign[42] heading east down along the rocky track[43]. The track soon bends right and heads around a rock outcrop[44] then continues down through the heath and scribbly gums[45] for about 400m to come to a flat rock platform[46]. Here the track continues downhill over several more rock platforms, becoming progressively steeper[47] for just over 1km to head into the cool valley and come to the bank beside Myron Brook[48].
Continue straight: From the western side of Myron Brook, this walk crosses the creek on the sandstone rock platform[49] to follow the track up a few stone steps and up the short steep hill[50]. The track then flattens out as it leads around the side of the hill for about 200m to pass alongside a long rock wall[51] (on your left). Now leading downhill, the track continues for another 100m then heads down a short steep section[52] into the dense moist gully, coming to a faint intersection in front of Kariong Brook Falls[53] (on your left) (just before crossing the creek, which is often underground).

(9.36km) Kariong Brook crossing → Int of GNW and Thommos Loop track

2.2 km
52 mins
176m
-55m

Hard track

Continue straight: From Kariong Brook[54], the walk crosses the creek and heads up the hill towards the cave[55] (keeping the waterfall[56] to the left). The track leads under the overhang[57] and then winds up the rocky path for about 400m, past a few rock walls[58] and among the grass trees[59]. The walk then heads up some more stone steps, bending left on the steps with a metal handrail[60]. The rocky track continues up for another 130m over a few more rocks[61] to come to a flat clearing[62] (on your right, that has been used as a campsite). From the clearing, the track continues uphill, passing another rocky outcrop[63] after about 60m, then after about 80m more, the track leads to a T-intersection[64] with a management trail (and a sign pointing back to ‘Girrakool’[65]).
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post and ‘Patonga’ sign[66] downhill along the management trail[67]. The trail then winds along the side of the hill for about 1.3km (passing a pleasant grove of large Sydney Redgums[68]) to then step up onto a particularly large rock platform[69]. After crossing this rock platform, the trail continues for another 120m to come to a Y-intersection[70] (at another rock platform) where a ‘Girrakool’ sign[71] points back along the track.

(11.54km) Int of GNW and Thommos Loop trail → Int of GNW and Mt Wondabyne Peak tracks

2 km
43 mins
138m
-65m

Hard track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post and ‘Patonga’ sign[72] east, gently downhill along the narrow track. After about 250m, the track leads to a notably large rock platform[73] with a clear view across the valley to Mt Wondabyne[74]. Here the track continues gently downhill, crossing more rock platforms[75] for about 300m to head over a section of timber boardwalk[76] and past a few disused power poles[77]. The track then continues over another rock platform for another 200m to cross a small ephemeral creek[78]. From the creek, the track leads up a short distance up under the power lines to come to a T-intersection[79] with a wide trail, where a sign points back to ‘Girrakool’[80].
Turn right: From the intersection, the track follows the GNW arrow post along the management trail[81], initially keeping the power lines to your right. The trail soon bends left and leads uphill. As the trail flattens out again, it comes to a three-way intersection marked with a ‘Great North Walk’ and ‘Wondabyne Station’ sign[82], pointing back along the trail.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Mt Wondabyne’ sign[83] south up the trail. The trail soon begins to narrow[84] and after almost 200m, the track steps up to cross a rock platform[85], following a few GNW arrow posts to find a GNW ‘Walker Register’ tube[86]. After writing a comment, the walk continues uphill[87] along the track for about 700m, as the track become progressively flatter[88], passing beside the Mt Wondabyne Peak (up to your left). Then about 50m after leaving the trees and entering a section of low heath, this track then comes to a three-way intersection[89] (the Mt Wondabyne peak track, on the left[90]), marked with a GNW arrow post.

(13.53km) Int of Great North Walk and Mt Wondabyne Peak tracks → Mt Wondabyne Peak

210 m
5 mins
20m
-1m

Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the Mt Wondabyne peak track north-east as it heads uphill directly towards Mt Wondabyne. The track is leads gently at first then starts to climb up a series of rock ledges[91]. After about 60m, the track passes a small cave[92] (large enough for 2 or 3 people to lie in). The track then continues to climb for another 90m, up the rocky track then for through a grove of small trees[93], to come to the first peak[94]. The faint track continues along the ridge for another 60m then comes to the main peak, where there is an old trig station[95] and great panoramic views[96]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

Mt Wondabyne

Mount Wondabyne is one of the most prominent peaks in Brisbane Water National Park. The long cone-shaped hill has a rocky top and is home to a trig station. Walkers can enjoy full 360-degree panoramic views from the top. To the east are good views over the Brisbane Water, Woy Woy and other central coast suburbs. West, down next to Mullet Creek, you can see some buildings near Wondabyne Station and the train line. Otherwise, most of the expansive views are over much of Brisbane Water National Park. There are some small trees providing limited shade, a great place to soak up the views.

(13.53km) Int of Great North Walk and Mt Wondabyne Peak tracks → Mt Wondabyne Campsite

90 m
2 mins
0m
-6m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[97] south over a small rise then gently downhill along the rocky track, leaving Mt Wondabyne peak[98] behind and to your left. After about 90m, the track leads down to a clearing[99] at the end of a management trail, where there is a sign pointing back to ‘Mooney Mooney rest area’[100]. This is the Mt Wondabyne campsite[101].

Mt Wondabyne Campsite

This basic campsite is found at the end of a management trail, near the base of Mt Wondabyne. The campsite is at the bottom of a small (east facing) rock wall and has trees surrounding much of the area, providing some shelter. There is an established fire circle and a basic seat. There is no water or other facilities. (There is also small cave suitable for sleeping a few people about half way up Mount Wondabyne).

(13.62km) Mt Wondabyne Campsite → Int of Tunnel Track and Mt Wondabyne trail

760 m
16 mins
0m
-49m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the clearing (campsite), this walk follows the ‘Patonga’[102] sign down the wide management trail. The trail winds downhill for about 300m, enjoying some views back to Mount Wondabyne[103] as well as to Woy Woy and Brisbane Water[104]. From here, the trail continues downhill through the heath for another 400m to come to a T-intersection with another management trail (Tunnel Track), where there is a ‘Mt Wondabyne’[105] and ‘Girrakool’[106] sign pointing back up the hill.

(14.37km) Int of Tunnel Track and Mt Wondabyne trail → Woy Woy landfill view

2.5 km
51 mins
83m
-98m

Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[107] west, gently down along the wide management trail, keeping the main wide valley to your left. The trail winds along the side of the hill for just over 450m to come to a clear three-way intersection[108] with the signposted with the ‘Rocky Ponds Trail’[109] (on your right). There is a sign here, pointing back up the trail to ‘Girrakool’.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Patonga’ sign[110] south, downhill along the wide trail. After just over 100m, the trail passes through a metal gate[111] and fence then continues for another 50m to come to an intersection with a narrow track[112] (on your left), marked with a GNW arrow post and ‘Tunnel Trail’[113] (on your right).
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post directly away from the face of the ‘Tunnel Trail’ sign[114][115] along the narrow track. After about 20m, this short track leads to an intersection with the signposted ‘Dillons Trail’[116].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post and ‘Patonga’ sign[117] south-west up along the narrow track[118]. The track leads fairly gently uphill for about 300m, then mostly flattens out along the side of a rock platform[119] for another 500m to come to a high point[120]. The track now undulates, following a series of many GNW arrow posts[121] generally down along the rocky ridge line, over many rock platforms[122] for almost 1km (enjoying the distant views[123][124] over Woy Woy Bay and the Brisbane Water, to your left). The walk then steps down off the rock platform[125] via a few carved steps[126] onto a sandy track. This track then leads gently down for about 130m, coming to an unfenced, clear view over Woy Woy landfill[127] (where the track then bends right[128]).

(16.85km) Woy Woy landfill view → Rock Platform

960 m
25 mins
39m
-77m

Hard track

Veer right: From the Woy Woy landfill view, this walk heads follows the track downhill, initially keeping the views to your left. The track soon leads down past a rock wall[129] (on your right) and after about 100m, the track passes fairly steeply down past a side track[130] (on your left). Continuing more gently down along the main track for another 100m, this walk then turns left to follow a GNW arrow post[131] steeply downhill, soon stepping down some carved steps[132] in the rock beside a sloped rock platform (on your right)[133]. Here the track bends left and winds quite steeply[134] for another 100m (passing another faint side track[135]) to cross Patonga Creek[136], among the moist cabbage palm[137] forest. The track continues gently uphill for just shy of 100m, to come to an intersection with a management trail, marked with a ‘Great North Walk’ sign[138] pointing back along the track.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post uphill along the wide trail. The trail leads uphill for about 200m to then lead quite steeply downhill[139] for another 200m. Here the trail winds through a ferny valley[140] with a scattering of cabbage palms[141] (Livistona australis) then uphill for about 80m, where the trail bends right and leads down a short distance to find a noteable rock platform[142] (with an ephemeral creek) and filtered view down the valley (to your right)[143].

(17.82km) Rock Platform → Int of Hawkesbury track and Sani Depot Trail

1.3 km
25 mins
56m
-21m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the rock platform, this walk follows the wide trail along the side of the hill, keeping the valley to your right. The trail undulates but heads mostly uphill for almost 600m, crossing a couple of culverted creeks[144][145]. After a short steeper climb, the trail flattens out in a open heathy area to come to an intersection with a faint track (on your right)[146].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the wide management trail (the Hawkesbury Track) gently uphill, initially keeping the wide valley to your right. The trail leads through the open heath for about 170m to enter a more wooded forest and cross a culverted creek[147] (with sandstone blocks[148]). Here the trail begins to climb, becoming progressively steeper for about 600m before entering a tall Sydney Redgum forest and flattening out a clear three-way intersection, marked with a ‘Sani Depot Trail’ sign[149] (on your left).

(19.15km) Int of Hawkesbury track and Sani Depot Trail → Int of Hawkesbury track and Patonga Dr trail

1.1 km
21 mins
39m
-25m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the main wide management trail uphill (initially keeping the ‘Sani Depot Trail’ on your left[150]) to soon leave the tall wooded forest. After about 200m (just as the trail mostly flattens out past a fairly steep climb[151]), this walk passes a large clearing[152] (on your right). Here the trail continues more gently uphill[153] and undulates around the side of the hill, enjoying some views along the way. After passing alongside this rocky hill[154], the trail bends right[155] and leads down to a T-intersection[156] marked with a ‘Girrakool’ sign[157], pointing back up the trail (and a short track on your right leading to large open rock platform[158]).

(20.26km) Rock platform intersection → Int of Rest Area and Girrakool tracks

750 m
12 mins
12m
-5m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post directly away from the face of the ‘Girrakool’ sign[159] and away from the rock platform to head south along the wide trail. Over the next 200m, the trail gently bends left then comes to a clear three-way intersection (just before the steeper uphill) marked with a ‘Girrakool’ sign[160] sign pointing back down along the trail.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Patonga’ sign[161] south gently up along the sandy management trail. The trail leads among the heath and large scribbly gums[162] for about 270m to come to a T-intersection[163], marked with a GNW arrow post[164] (where the main trail bends left and the old Patonga Creek trail is on the right).
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post east, gently up along the wide management trail. After about 100m, the trail bends right[165], then continues mostly flat for nearly 200m, coming to a clear three-way intersection[166] where a ‘Girrakool’ sign[167] points back up along the trail.

(21.01km) Int of Rest Area and Girrakool tracks → Warrah Car Park

1.6 km
29 mins
22m
-25m

Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads follows ‘Patonga’ sign[168] and GNW arrow post south-east along the wide sandy trail, heading gently uphill. After just over 100m, this walk heads around a locked gate[169], marked with a ‘Great North Walk’ sign[170], to come to a T-intersection with the sealed Patonga Drive[171].
Continue straight: From the intersection and locked gate[172], this walk crosses the sealed Patonga Drive[173] to find a GNW arrow post and track on the other side. This walk now follows the GNW arrow post along the track, as it bends right to lead parallel to Patonga Drive (keeping the road about 20m to your right) for about 150m before passing some distant ocean views[174] (on your left). Here the track continues for another 100m to pass a drainage ditch[175] and come to a T-intersection[176] with the dirt Warrah Trig Station Rd.
Veer left: From the intersection near Patonga Drive, this walk follows the dirt road away from Patonga Drive. After a little while the road heads down a gentle hill then comes to an intersection with a management trail and locked gate (on the right).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the dirt road south east towards the hill and fence. Soon the road passes a trail (on the left) and then heads through a dirt over flow car park, to come to a smaller sealed car park at the end of the road.

(22.66km) Warrah car park → Warrah Trig Station

30 m
1 mins
0m
0m

Easy track

Continue straight: From Warrah car park, this walk follows the ‘Tony Doyle Track’ sign[177] up the steps and sandstone footpath. The path winds a short distance up to a rock platform with the old Warrah Trig station, and offering filtered distant views.

Warrah Trig Station

Warrah Trig Station is part of a national geodetic survey established during the 1970’s. The ‘Triangulation station’ (aka trigonometrical or trig station) is a distinct marker once clear of trees, and would have been visible for many kilometers in the area. There are many such trig stations around Australia, which were used to help in surveying. Each station has a know position and altitude, which allows surveyors to use triangulation and determine another point’s location. With advances in technology, these trig stations have been abandoned and superseded. The trig station is now surrounded by trees, with some filtered views along the Hawkesbury River[178]. The area is rich with wildflowers in spring.

(22.69km) Warrah Trig Station → Warrah Lookout intersection

310 m
7 mins
0m
-39m

Easy track

Continue straight: From the trig station, this walk heads toward the water view, down the timber staircase. At the bottom of the timber stairs, the walk follows the sandstone footpath (and another set of timber stairs) and stone steps, winding down the hill. The footpath passes over and between a few rock platforms on the way. The path leads to a signposted intersection with the Pearl Beach / Patonga fire trail and a sign pointing back up to ‘Warrah Car Park’[179].

(23km) Warrah Lookout intersection → Warrah Lookout

70 m
2 mins
0m
-12m

Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads between the timber posts and follows the ‘Warrah Lookout’ sign[180] along the sandstone footpath. The path leads through the bush for a short distance, coming to the fenced Warrah Lookout. (Beware of informal side tracks that lead to unfenced sections of cliff.) At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

Warrah Lookout

Warrah Lookout is a mostly fenced lookout on a large sandstone platform. The lookout provides fantastic views across the Hawkesbury River. From left to right, you can see along the escarpment which forms the southern boundary of Brisbane Water National Park, out to the Pacific Ocean, Barrenjoey Headland, West Head, along Cowan Creek, Juno Point and along the escarpment to Patonga. This is a great place to spend some time soaking up the views.

(23km) Warrah Lookout intersection → Broken Bay View

700 m
15 mins
26m
-26m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows ‘Patonga’ sign[181] uphill along the management trail. After 100m, the trail passes a track on the left (marked with 5 large boulders – this informal track leads to an unfenced view). This walk continues along the management trail and, after a short steeper uphill section, the trail comes to an intersection with the signposted ‘Patogna’ track[182] on the left.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the Great North Walk arrow and ‘Patonga’ sign[183] along the narrow track. The track winds gently through the bush, with the occasional water glimpse to the left. After a short time, the track leads to a few large Sydney Red Gums and a large unfenced rock platform on the left (just before a few Great North Walk arrow markers) – this is the Broken Bay view.

Broken Bay View

Broken Bay View is an informal, unnamed and unfenced vantage point at the top of the cliffs, east of Patonga. The large rock platform has a number of large Sydney Red Gums, providing some shade. There are great views across the Hawkesbury River, along Cowan Creek and to West Head. The views to the left extend past Lion Island to Barrenjoey Head and out to the Pacific Ocean.

(23.7km) Broken Bay View → Patonga Wharf car park

1.1 km
31 mins
13m
-136m

Moderate track

Veer right: From Broken Bay view, this walk follows the GNW arrows down the hill along the track. After a little while, the track heads down between some rock and comes to an unfenced rock platform with great views across the water. Here, the track turns right then soon heads down some steps between more rocks, after which the track flattens out for a while. Near the end of the ridge, the track turns right and heads down to the beach. The track comes out at the eastern end of Patonga Beach, at a GNW signpost[184] and next to some beach cottages. This area is also know as ‘Dark Corner’.
Continue straight: From the eastern end of the beach, this walk follows the power lines across the sand, keeping the water to the left. The walk soon heads around the gate, across the car park and comes to the Warrah Reserve boat ramp.
Continue straight: From the boat ramp, this walk follows the road[186], keeping the water to the left for 220m to then turn left, following a GNW arrow post[187], down along Patonga Drive. The walk then soon leads past a ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[188] opposite the toilet block[189] and continues down past ‘Eve Williams Memorial Oval’[190][191][192] for 70m to a car park at Patonga Wharf[193], opposite some shops[194]. (Alternatively it is possible to walk along the sandy beach[195] from the Boat ramp to the wharf.)

Maps for the Girrakool to Patonga walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Gunderman	1:25 000 Map Series	91313S GUNDERMAN	NSW-91313S
Gosford	1:25 000 Map Series	91312S GOSFORD	NSW-91312S
Broken Bay	1:25 000 Map Series	91301N BROKEN BAY	NSW-91301N
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map	1:40 000 Map Series	CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map	CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map
Gosford	1:100 000 Map Series	9131 GOSFORD	9131
Sydney	1:100 000 Map Series	9130 SYDNEY	9130

Cross sectional view of the Girrakool to Patonga bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Girrakool to Patonga

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	24.8 km
		Time	10 hrs
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

9km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 8km has short steep hills. Whilst another 7km is very steep and the remaining 1.4km is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

13km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 8km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. The remaining (3.8km) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

16km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 5km is clearly signposted. The remaining (3.5km) has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

Around 13km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 12km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 23km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 1.7km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

16km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) and another 9km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced). The remaining (440m) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Girrakool to Patonga walk starts at the Girrakool picnic area car park (gps: -33.43168, 151.2766)
Your main transport option to Girrakool picnic area car park is by;

Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
(get details)

The Girrakool to Patonga ends at the Patonga Wharf car park (gps: -33.55043, 151.27456)
Your transport options to Patonga Wharf car park are by;
Ferry. There is no regular ferry service between Patonga and Brooklyn any more. You can easily grab a water taxi (about +). If you are part of a large group they can also organise a larger boat carrying 35 passengers (about pp). Phone 0410 554 777 to book. Enjoy the boat ride. (get details)
Ferry. Ferry service operates between Palm Beach and Bobbin head daily. Stopping at Patoonga Beach (and Cottage Point on request).
Mon – Fri 11:30am departs Patoonga for Bobbin head (then to Palm Beach)
Weekends and school holidays 9:30am, 3pm, 4:15pm from Patoonga for Palm Beach.
Phone to confirm times on the day 0414466635
(get details)
Bus. A bus service runs along Patonga Drive down to Patonga. The service only runs a few times a day. Please check timetable for more info or Phone Busway on (02) 4368 2277 (route 50) (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.
(get details)

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-bwnp-gtp
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.
http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_weather_danger.php?walkid=nsw-bwnp-gtp

Forecast snapshot

Park Information & Alerts

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_park_closure.php?walkid=nsw-bwnp-gtp

Download Pdf

Open iPhone app

Short URL = http://wild.tl/gtp

Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)

Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂

Girrakool to Patonga Overnight

And Walk

Girrakool to Patonga Overnight

Download & Print Map and Notes

Girrakool Picnic Area

(0km) Girrakool picnic area car park → Int of Picnic Area and Girrakool Loop tracks

230 m
5 mins
0m
-27m

Easy track

(0.23km) Int of Picnic Area and Girrakool Loop tracks → Broula Lookout

30 m
1 mins
0m
-2m

Easy track

Broula Lookout

(0.23km) Int of Picnic Area and Girrakool Loop tracks → Illoura Lookout

40 m
1 mins
0m
-6m

Easy track

Illoura Lookout

(0.27km) Illoura Lookout → Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks

1.1 km
27 mins
47m
-83m

Moderate track

(1.38km) Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks → Piles Ck Lookout

20 m
1 mins
0m
-8m

Moderate track

Piles Creek Lookout

(1.38km) Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks → Monolith Cave

80 m
2 mins
16m
0m

Moderate track

Monolith Cave

(1.46km) Monolith Cave → Rat Gully Lookout

220 m
7 mins
13m
-29m

Moderate track

(1.68km) Rat Gully Lookout → Scopas Peak

3.4 km
1 hr 26 mins
285m
-114m

Hard track

(5.11km) Scopas Peak → Int of GNW and Wondabyne trail

2.3 km
45 mins
54m
-107m

Hard track

(7.4km) Int of GNW and Wondabyne Station Trail → Kariong Brook crossing

2 km
47 mins
64m
-211m

Hard track

(9.36km) Kariong Brook crossing → Int of GNW and Thommos Loop track

2.2 km
52 mins
176m
-55m

Hard track

(11.54km) Int of GNW and Thommos Loop trail → Int of GNW and Mt Wondabyne Peak tracks

2 km
43 mins
138m
-65m

Hard track

(13.53km) Int of Great North Walk and Mt Wondabyne Peak tracks → Mt Wondabyne Peak

210 m
5 mins
20m
-1m

Hard track

Mt Wondabyne

(13.53km) Int of Great North Walk and Mt Wondabyne Peak tracks → Mt Wondabyne Campsite

90 m
2 mins
0m
-6m

Moderate track

Mt Wondabyne Campsite

End of day 1

This is the planned overnight stay for the end of day 1, happy camping.

(13.62km) Mt Wondabyne Campsite → Int of Tunnel Track and Mt Wondabyne trail

760 m
16 mins
0m
-49m

Moderate track

(14.37km) Int of Tunnel Track and Mt Wondabyne trail → Woy Woy landfill view

2.5 km
51 mins
83m
-98m

Hard track

(16.85km) Woy Woy landfill view → Rock Platform

960 m
25 mins
39m
-77m

Hard track

(17.82km) Rock Platform → Int of Hawkesbury track and Sani Depot Trail

1.3 km
25 mins
56m
-21m

Moderate track

(19.15km) Int of Hawkesbury track and Sani Depot Trail → Int of Hawkesbury track and Patonga Dr trail

1.1 km
21 mins
39m
-25m

Moderate track

(20.26km) Rock platform intersection → Int of Rest Area and Girrakool tracks

750 m
12 mins
12m
-5m

Moderate track

(21.01km) Int of Rest Area and Girrakool tracks → Warrah Car Park

1.6 km
29 mins
22m
-25m

Moderate track

(22.66km) Warrah car park → Warrah Trig Station

30 m
1 mins
0m
0m

Easy track

Warrah Trig Station

(22.69km) Warrah Trig Station → Warrah Lookout intersection

310 m
7 mins
0m
-39m

Easy track

(23km) Warrah Lookout intersection → Warrah Lookout

70 m
2 mins
0m
-12m

Easy track

Warrah Lookout

(23km) Warrah Lookout intersection → Broken Bay View

700 m
15 mins
26m
-26m

Moderate track

Broken Bay View

(23.7km) Broken Bay View → Patonga Wharf car park

1.1 km
31 mins
13m
-136m

Moderate track

Maps for the Girrakool to Patonga Overnight walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Gunderman	1:25 000 Map Series	91313S GUNDERMAN	NSW-91313S
Gosford	1:25 000 Map Series	91312S GOSFORD	NSW-91312S
Broken Bay	1:25 000 Map Series	91301N BROKEN BAY	NSW-91301N
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map	1:40 000 Map Series	CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map	CMA Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Tourist Map
Gosford	1:100 000 Map Series	9131 GOSFORD	9131
Sydney	1:100 000 Map Series	9130 SYDNEY	9130

Cross sectional view of the Girrakool to Patonga Overnight bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Girrakool to Patonga Overnight

Daily actual walking time estimates

Day	Walking Time	Length
1	5 hrs 24 mins	13.9 km
2	3 hrs 55 mins	11.3 km

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	24.8 km
		Time	2 Days
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

9km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 8km has short steep hills. Whilst another 7km is very steep and the remaining 1.4km is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

Signs

16km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 5km is clearly signposted. The remaining (3.5km) has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

Around 13km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 12km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

Infrastructure

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Girrakool to Patonga Overnight walk starts at the Girrakool picnic area car park (gps: -33.43168, 151.2766)
Your main transport option to Girrakool picnic area car park is by;

Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
(get details)

The Girrakool to Patonga Overnight ends at the Patonga Wharf car park (gps: -33.55043, 151.27456)
Your transport options to Patonga Wharf car park are by;
Ferry. There is no regular ferry service between Patonga and Brooklyn any more. You can easily grab a water taxi (about +). If you are part of a large group they can also organise a larger boat carrying 35 passengers (about pp). Phone 0410 554 777 to book. Enjoy the boat ride. (get details)
Ferry. Ferry service operates between Palm Beach and Bobbin head daily. Stopping at Patoonga Beach (and Cottage Point on request).
Mon – Fri 11:30am departs Patoonga for Bobbin head (then to Palm Beach)
Weekends and school holidays 9:30am, 3pm, 4:15pm from Patoonga for Palm Beach.
Phone to confirm times on the day 0414466635
(get details)
Bus. A bus service runs along Patonga Drive down to Patonga. The service only runs a few times a day. Please check timetable for more info or Phone Busway on (02) 4368 2277 (route 50) (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.
(get details)

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-bwnp-gtpxx
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

Forecast snapshot

Park Information & Alerts

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_park_closure.php?walkid=nsw-bwnp-gtpxx

Download Pdf

Open iPhone app

Short URL = http://wild.tl/gtpxx

Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)

Staples Lookout to Mt Wondabyne loop

And Walk

Staples Lookout to Mt Wondabyne loop

Download & Print Map and Notes

Staples Lookout

Staples Lookout beside Woy Woy Road, is a fenced lookout providing good views east across the Central Coast, the Brisbane Water and out to the ocean. There is a large car park and picnic tables, with plenty of natural shade. The lookout was named as a tribute to Charles J Staples, a pioneer of route that Woy Woy Rd now follows[1]. The lookout was constructed in 1955 by the Rotary Club of Woy Woy[2]. An inscription at the lookout quotes ‘and I shall meditate on your wondrous works’ from Psalm 119:27.

(0km) Staples Lookout → Int of Thommos Trail and Woy Woy Road

370 m
7 mins
0m
-13m

Easy track

From Staples Lookout, this walk heads downhill alongside Woy Woy Rd (keeping the view to the left). Where safe this walk crosses the road and continues down the hill. Just after passing a large brown ‘Scenic Lookout 300m’ sign (facing downhill), the walk comes to the signposted start of “Thommo’s Loop Fire Trail” and a locked gate.

(0.37km) Int of Great North Walk and Woy Woy Road → Int of the Great North Walk and Patonga service trail

1.8 km
37 mins
22m
-83m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads around the National Park gate and continues down the service trail for a short while, before coming to the intersection of the power line service trail.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Thommas Loop’ sign down the management trail as it bends left. The trail winds down the hill to soon cross a rock platform with good views.
Continue straight: From the rock platform, this walk follows the management trail down the hill, keeping the valley views to the right. The trail then generally winds down the hill to come so a signposted three-way intersection with a ‘Staples Lookout’ sign pointing back up the hill.

(2.2km) Int of the Great North Walk and Patonga service trail → Kariong Brook crossing

690 m
24 mins
21m
-122m

Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Girrakool’ sign[4] gently down along the narrower track. The track leads down for about 60m to pass over a rock outcrop[5] and then 80m later, comes to a clearing that has been used as a campsite[6] (on your left). From the clearing, the track continues down the hill for about 150m, stepping down the rocks[7] and along a sandy track[8] to then bend right at metal handrail[9]. Here the rocky track becomes quite steep in places and winds down past some rock walls[10] and among the grass trees[11] for about 300m, where the track bends sharp right at the bottom of some steps in a cleft in the rock[12]. The track continues down for another 100m to follow the steps down through the sandstone overhang[13], here the track bends left then right to wind down and cross the creek (that is often underground) and come to an intersection with a faint track in front of Kariong Brook Falls[14] (on your right). At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.

Kariong Brook Falls

This tranquil spot of the Great North Walk is home to some lovely falls and a water hole. The eastern side of the creek has a tall sandstone cave and wall. After rain these falls can become very spectacular, other times is a cool place to rest. A great spot to stop for a snack.

(2.2km) Int of the Great North Walk and Patonga service trail → Int of GNW and Thommos Loop track

1.5 km
28 mins
54m
-34m

Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post and ‘Patonga’ sign[15] downhill along the management trail[16]. The trail then winds along the side of the hill for about 1.3km (passing a pleasant grove of large Sydney Redgums[17]) to then step up onto a particularly large rock platform[18]. After crossing this rock platform, the trail continues for another 120m to come to a Y-intersection[19] (at another rock platform) where a ‘Girrakool’ sign[20] points back along the track.

(3.69km) Int of GNW and Thommos Loop trail → Int of GNW and Mullet Creek Trail (east)

830 m
18 mins
15m
-50m

Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post and ‘Patonga’ sign[21] east, gently downhill along the narrow track. After about 250m, the track leads to a notably large rock platform[22] with a clear view across the valley to Mt Wondabyne[23]. Here the track continues gently downhill, crossing more rock platforms[24] for about 300m to head over a section of timber boardwalk[25] and past a few disused power poles[26]. The track then continues over another rock platform for another 200m to cross a small ephemeral creek[27]. From the creek, the track leads up a short distance up under the power lines to come to a T-intersection[28] with a wide trail, where a sign points back to ‘Girrakool’[29].

(4.52km) Int of GNW and Mullet Creek Trail (east) → Int of GNW and Mt Wondabyne Peak tracks

1.2 km
25 mins
123m
-15m

Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, the track follows the GNW arrow post along the management trail[30], initially keeping the power lines to your right. The trail soon bends left and leads uphill. As the trail flattens out again, it comes to a three-way intersection marked with a ‘Great North Walk’ and ‘Wondabyne Station’ sign[31], pointing back along the trail.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Mt Wondabyne’ sign[32] south up the trail. The trail soon begins to narrow[33] and after almost 200m, the track steps up to cross a rock platform[34], following a few GNW arrow posts to find a GNW ‘Walker Register’ tube[35]. After writing a comment, the walk continues uphill[36] along the track for about 700m, as the track become progressively flatter[37], passing beside the Mt Wondabyne Peak (up to your left). Then about 50m after leaving the trees and entering a section of low heath, this track then comes to a three-way intersection[38] (the Mt Wondabyne peak track, on the left[39]), marked with a GNW arrow post.

(5.68km) Int of Great North Walk and Mt Wondabyne Peak tracks → Mt Wondabyne Peak

210 m
5 mins
20m
-1m

Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the Mt Wondabyne peak track north-east as it heads uphill directly towards Mt Wondabyne. The track is leads gently at first then starts to climb up a series of rock ledges[40]. After about 60m, the track passes a small cave[41] (large enough for 2 or 3 people to lie in). The track then continues to climb for another 90m, up the rocky track then for through a grove of small trees[42], to come to the first peak[43]. The faint track continues along the ridge for another 60m then comes to the main peak, where there is an old trig station[44] and great panoramic views[45]. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left.

Mt Wondabyne

(5.68km) Int of Great North Walk and Mt Wondabyne Peak tracks → Mt Wondabyne Campsite

90 m
2 mins
0m
-6m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[46] south over a small rise then gently downhill along the rocky track, leaving Mt Wondabyne peak[47] behind and to your left. After about 90m, the track leads down to a clearing[48] at the end of a management trail, where there is a sign pointing back to ‘Mooney Mooney rest area’[49]. This is the Mt Wondabyne campsite[50].

Mt Wondabyne Campsite

(5.76km) Mt Wondabyne Campsite → Int of Tunnel Track and Mt Wondabyne trail

760 m
16 mins
0m
-49m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the clearing (campsite), this walk follows the ‘Patonga’[51] sign down the wide management trail. The trail winds downhill for about 300m, enjoying some views back to Mount Wondabyne[52] as well as to Woy Woy and Brisbane Water[53]. From here, the trail continues downhill through the heath for another 400m to come to a T-intersection with another management trail (Tunnel Track), where there is a ‘Mt Wondabyne’[54] and ‘Girrakool’[55] sign pointing back up the hill.

(6.52km) Int of Girrakool and Mt Wondabyne tracks → Int of Tunnel and Mullet Creek Tracks

1.1 km
22 mins
14m
-55m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail down the hill as it bends to the left (initially keeping Mt Wondabyne to the left). The trail winds down the hill, passing a filtered view of the Woy Woy landfill site and some nice sandstone formations. The trail then leads into a valley and crosses an often dry creek using a concrete ford. Soon after this, the trail comes to a four-way intersection, with some power lines and a sign pointing back to ‘Tunnel Track’.

(7.59km) Int of Tunnel and Mullet Creek Tracks → Brisbane Waters NP gate

720 m
13 mins
18m
-10m

Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads north-east along the management trail up the hill, away from the power lines (not following any of the signs). The trail soon comes to a three-way intersection with the signposted ‘Thommos Loop’ trail (on the left).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the red-gravelly trail north, gently downhill (soon bending right). The trail passes an old rusty trailer (on the left) and soon comes to a ‘Brisbane Water National Park’ sign and heads around a locked gate.

(8.3km) Brisbane Waters NP gate → Int of Tunnel track and Powerline maintenance trail

1 km
18 mins
17m
-18m

Easy track

Continue straight: From the gate, this walk heads away from the gate and national park along the management trail. The trail soon comes to the old Bulls Hill Quarry (on the left) and continues around the edge, passing the pondage area (there are many tracks in the are, this walk follows the main Tunnel Track). The trail bends left, rounding the quarry to cross the sandstone rock platform and climb the gravelly trail leaving the quarry behind. About 170m after passing under the power lines, the trail comes to an intersection with a power line maintenance trail (on the right, signposted ‘830’).

Bulls Hill Quarry

The Bulls Hill Quarry, which was once a sandstone quarry on the western side of Woy Woy Rd. In 2002 Gosford Council proposed converting the quarry into a ‘composting and recycling facility’. These plans where rejected due to concerns of the environmental impact. In 2005 the then-Department of Land and Water Conservation worked on the sediment dams to improve water flow quality from the site.

(9.31km) Int of Tunnel track and Powerline maintenance trail → Int of Tunnel track and Woy Woy Rd

130 m
2 mins
4m
0m

Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads towards the gate (and road), just visible up the gentle hill along the management trail. On the other side of the gate, the walk comes to small clearing beside Woy Woy Rd (a short distance uphill from the speed camera).

(9.44km) Int of Tunnel track and Woy Woy Rd → Staples Lookout

1.4 km
27 mins
70m
-1m

Easy track

Turn left : From the small clearing, this walk follows alongside Woy Woy Rd away from the speed camera, passing the large ‘Overtaking lane 400m Ahead’ sign up the hill. Soon the road leads to a ‘Roy Lamb the Sand Man’ sign[58].
Continue straight: From the ‘Roy Lamb the Sand Man’ sign, this walk follows beside Woy Woy Rd, heading up the hill (passing a house on the left). The road sweeps left and (about 10m past the yellow ‘Left Lane Ends’ sign) the walk comes to an intersection with a power line access trail (on the left).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill beside Woy Woy Rd (away from the water view), soon coming to an intersection with the signposted start of the ‘Thommo’s Loop Fire Trail’[59] and gate (on the left) – just before the brown ‘Scenic Lookout’ sign[60].
Continue straight: From the intersection, heads along Woy Woy Road passing the large brown ‘Scenic Lookout 300m’ sign. The walk crosses the road (where safe) and crosses a grassy area to come to the car park and signposted Staples Lookout.

Maps for the Staples Lookout to Mt Wondabyne loop walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Gosford	1:25 000 Map Series	91312S GOSFORD	NSW-91312S
Gosford	1:100 000 Map Series	9131 GOSFORD	9131

Cross sectional view of the Staples Lookout to Mt Wondabyne loop bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Staples Lookout to Mt Wondabyne loop

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	10.8 km
		Time	4 hrs 30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 6km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 4.8km has short steep hills.

Quality of track

9km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 950m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely. Whilst another 920m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and the remaining 360m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 6km of this walk is clearly signposted, whilst the remaining 4.7km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

Around 9km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 1.8km requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 11km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 9km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 2.2km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Staples Lookout to Mt Wondabyne loop walk starts and ends at the Staples Lookout (gps: -33.471741, 151.2883)
Your main transport option to Staples Lookout is by;

Car. There is free parking available.
(get details)

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-bwnp-sltmwl
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

Forecast snapshot

Park Information & Alerts

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_park_closure.php?walkid=nsw-bwnp-sltmwl

Download Pdf

Open iPhone app

Short URL = http://wild.tl/sltmwl

Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)

Wondabyne station to Somersby Store

And Walk

Wondabyne station to Somersby Store

Download & Print Map and Notes

Wondabyne

Wondabyne is situated in Brisbane Waters National Park on the banks of Mullet River, which feeds into the Hawkesbury River north of Brooklyn. The area is defined by the National Park’s flora and fauna, the quarry, railway station and a few houses sitting above the water around the river. The quarry produced sandstone building materials, used in the construction of the National War Memorial in Canberra. More recently, in 2000, the quarry was re-opened for restoration of St Mary’s Cathedral spire in Sydney. Wondabyne Station, named after the nearby Mt Wondabyne, was built in 1889 and exclusively used for the quarry – it was then known as Mullet Creek Station. The station is one of the smallest on the line and one of very few railway stations in a NSW National Park. When you catch the train to Wondabyne, let the guard know you want to get off at Wondabyne Station, otherwise the train will not stop. Travel in the last carriage as the platform is very short. To catch the train from Wondabyne, wave to the driver.

(0km) Wondabyne Station → Eastern end of the Pindar Cave Track

1.5 km
32 mins
172m
-18m

Hard track

From the north-bound platform of Wondabyne Station, this walk follows the ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[1] off the southern the end of the platform[2], keeping the train lines (and water) to your left. The track soon leads past a strangler fig[3] and a large boulder[4] then bends right and heads up a timber staircase[5] with a metal landing at the top. The track winds steeply uphill, up a series of timber[6] and rock steps[7] for just over 200m to pass a filtered view of the cranes[8] (right), down at the old Gosford Quarry. Here the walk continues a bit more steeply uphill for another 150m, up a series of rock steps[9], and then, soon after passing up the carved steps in a cleft in a rock[10], the track flattens out[11] and comes to a clearing at the end of a management trail[12], marked with a ‘Brisbane Water National Park’ sign[13].
Continue straight: From the clearing[14], this walk follows the wide management trail uphill past the ‘Brisbane Water National Park’ sign[15]. The trail leads up quite steeply[16] for about 250m, where the trail bends right then leads gently uphill[17] for about 600m. Here the trail leads up a short but quite steep hill[18], to then bend left and, about 150m later, come to an intersection with the Pindar Cave track (that leads over a rock platform[19], on your left), marked with a GNW arrow post[20] (on your right).

(1.47km) Eastern end of the Pindar Cave Track → Int of GNW and Wondabyne Station tracks

630 m
11 mins
19m
-5m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection[21], this walk follows the GNW arrow post[22] north, gently uphill along the wide trail. The trail gently undulates along the top of the ridge for about 600m to come to an intersection with the ‘Great North Walk’ track (on your right), marked with a ‘Wondabyne Station’ sign[23] pointing back down the hill.

(2.1km) Int of GNW and Wondabyne trail → Int of GNW and Gosford Rifle Range trail

1.1 km
22 mins
27m
-40m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Girrakool’ sign[24] uphill along the wide trail. After about 50m, this trail leads up onto a large rock platform[25]. From the top of this platform, there are some distant views over Mooney Mooney Creek[26]. The walk continues on the platform, following the scrape marks on the rock, tending right, to soon find the wide trail again[27]. The trail undulates (moderately steeply in a few places) along the ridge line for about 900m to come to an intersection marked with a ‘Girrakool’ sign (pointing left), just before a ‘No Entry Past This Point’ sign[28].

(3.23km) South end of Scopas Peak Track → Scopas Peak

1.2 km
23 mins
80m
-14m

Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Girrakool’ sign[29] and GNW arrow post north along the clear track. After about 150m, the walk comes to a green painted metal box on a post (on your right), containing a Great North Walk intentions book[30].
Continue straight: From the Great North Walk intentions book[31], after leaving your comments, this walk heads north, gently up along the clear track[32]. The track gently undulates along this ridge for about 750m, leading across a long sandy saddle[33] to the base of Scopas Peak. Here the walk climbs steeply for about 230m, stopping occasionally to enjoy the view, up the series of rocks with cut steps[34] and past a few rock walls[35]. Near the top of this climb, the track bends left to lead up to a view point just to the west of Scopas Peak[36].

(4.39km) Scopas Peak → Tributary Crossing

2.4 km
57 mins
33m
-189m

Hard track

Veer right: From the view point[37] just west of Scopas Peak, this walk heads north-east and gently downhill[38], initially keeping the distant views to your left. The track leads down, becoming notably steeper[39] for about 300m to then cross over a long rock platform[40], with a series of GNW arrow posts[41] guiding the way. After this rock platform, the track leads for another 250m, crossing a couple of small rock platforms[42] before leading along a heathy track[43]. About 400m along, the walk passes another view to Mooney Mooney Bridge[44], then comes to the edge of another large rock platform[45]. A series of GNW arrow posts[46] lead across this rock platform, generally heading away from Scopas Peak[47] for about 400m, where the arrows lead off the rock platform and back onto a heathy track[48]. The rocky track continues down along the ridge[49] for just shy of 300m to come to the edge of another smaller rock platform with more with distant views[50]. From here, the track leads downhill for about 600m, passing a couple of rocky outcrops[51] and becoming progressively steeper until coming to the edge of an intermittent creek, which flows over the solid sandstone platform[52], at the bottom of the valley.

(6.81km) Tributary Crossing → Phil Houghton Bridge

940 m
30 mins
65m
-129m

Hard track

Continue straight: From the western bank, this walk crosses the intermittent creek which flows over the solid sandstone platform[53], to follow the track uphill. The rocky track initially leads gently uphill[54] but soon leads steeply up[55] for about 130m, where the track mostly flattens out to pass a sandstone overhang[56] (on your right). Soon after this overhang, the track leads over a small gully[57] then along the side of a longer rock wall[58] with another tall sandstone overhang[59]. The track continues gently downhill[60] for another 300m, becoming a little steeper along the way, until just past a set of rock steps. Here the track begins to head steeply down the side of the hill for about 130m, first passing through a cleft in the rock[61] then past a few rock walls. Just after a few switchbacks, this walk heads into a narrow gully, past a small ‘Patonga’ sign, then comes to a three-way intersection beside an intermittent creek[62], marked with a large ‘The Great North Walk’ sign with a ‘Patonga Ferry’ arrow[63] pointing back up the hill.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Piles Creek’ sign[64] down the track (keeping the valley to the right). The rocky track heads steeply downhill[65] for about 170m to Piles Creek[66]. Just past the old bridge[67], this walk climbs up the stairs[68] to cross the Phil Houghton suspension footbridge[69], enjoying the views of the tidal Piles Creek[70]. On the other side, this walk climbs down the stairs[71] to an intersection[72] beside a large clearing[73] (and campsite, on your left).

Phil Houghton Bridge

The Phil Houghton Bridge is a metal suspension bridge that crosses Piles Creek. It is part of the Great North Walk and replaces an older bridge, with part still visible upstream. The bridge can hold up to 8 people and feels very stable. There are great views both up and downstream half way across this bridge. There is a clearing on the northern side that people have used for camping.

(7.75km) Phil Houghton Bridge → Brisbane Water NP sign

1.8 km
36 mins
62m
-66m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection on the northern end of the ‘Phil Houghton Bridge’, this walk follows the ‘Mooney Creek’ arrow[74] through the large clearing and campsite[75], keeping Piles Creek to your left[76]. The track leads under a large dead tree[77] then winds past some cliffs[78] and among large boulders[79] for about 1km then crosses a short timber bridge with handrails[80]. Just past this bridge, this walk heads over a short flat timber bridge[81], then about just shy of 150m later, heads along a section of timber boardwalk[82]. From this tall eucalypt forest, this track contours around the side of the hill for about 500m, alongside Piles Creek[83], then starts to climb passing among the grass trees[84] before heading down a handful of timber steps and coming to a three-way intersection marked with a ‘Brisbane Waters National Park’ sign[85], just before Mooney Mooney Creek.

(9.54km) Brisbane Water NP sign → Mooney Mooney Creek Trackhead

540 m
11 mins
26m
-2m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[86] directly away from the face of the ‘Brisbane Waters National Park’ sign[87] along the clear track[88], keeping Mooney Mooney Creek to your left. After about 100m, this walk crosses a green timber footbridge[89], then about 200m later comes to a small clearing and intersection just before the road bridge[90]. Here the walk turns right, following the old management trail uphill through the tall forest[91] for about 200m then heading around a locked gate[92]. Just past the gate, this walk turn left and heads up the short steep bank[93] to come to a T-intersection with the old Pacific Hwy, at a large gravel car park[94] marked with ‘Mooney Mooney Creek’ Trackhead[95] (just east of the Mooney Mooney Creek bridge).

(10.07km) Mooney Mooney Creek Trackhead → National Park Gate

1.5 km
27 mins
31m
-53m

Easy track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Newcastle’ sign[96] along the narrowing gravel verge[97], keeping the Old Pacific Hwy just to your right. After about 200m, this walk comes to then crosses the concrete road bridge[98] over Mooney Mooney Creek, enjoying the view of the wide creek[99] below. Once on the other side, this walk heads past a detailed ‘Risk Warning’[100] sign suggesting you be sensible as you cross the bridge (hope it is not too late) to then come to an intersection with Karool Rd[101], just on the other side of the highway (on your right).
Turn right: From the intersection[102], this walk follows the gravel ‘Karool Road’[103] gently downhill, keeping Mooney Mooney Creek to your right[104]. This road leads past a few homes for about 600m to then pass a notable houseboat house[105]. About 250m past this house, this walk come to a Y-intersection[106], marked with a ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[107], just before the tall concrete Mooney Mooney Bridge[108].
Veer left: From the ‘Y’ intersection[109], this walk follows the ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[110] along the upper dirt road to pass under the Mooney Mooney (F3 freeway) Bridge[111]. Just over 250m after passing under the tall bridge, this walk leads up to a large turning area[112] just before the locked gate[113], marked with a ‘Brisbane Water National Park’ sign[114].

(11.57km) National Park Gate → Mooney Mooney Creek Campsite (south)

600 m
13 mins
25m
-25m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the end of the dirt road[115] (that branches of Karool Rd, just north of the Mooney Mooney Bridge), this walk heads uphill along the trail and around the locked gate[116] next to the timber ‘Brisbane Water National Park’ sign[117]. The trail leads uphill for about 200m to where the trail bends left to pass over the crest of the hill (passing a faint track on your left[118]). Here the trail leads down the other side, still keeping Mooney Mooney Creek to your right[119] for another 400m to come to an intersection marked with a GNW arrow post[120], beside a large grassy clearing[121] and campsite (on your right).

Mooney Mooney Creek Campsite (south)

This is clearing is beside the wide Mooney Mooney Creek and provides a large flat area to pitch a few tents. There are some high tension power lines nearby and you can hear the hum of the F3 from here, so it is not the most remote campsite. There are no facilities or water (the creek is salty). All that said it is still a pleasant spot beside the wide creek to rest for a while or for the night.

(12.17km) Mooney Mooney Creek Campsite (south) → Mooney Mooney Creek Campsite (north)

1.3 km
24 mins
29m
-28m

Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection[122] just above the campsite, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[123] down along the track, keeping the clearing and campsite[124] to the right. The track soon leads over a small flat timber bridge[125] then over the next 60m, the track heads under the high tension power lines (past the caution sign[126]) and then along a short section of timber boardwalk[127]. About 20m later, this walk veers right at a Y-intersection[128], then continues along the mostly flat track beside Mooney Mooney Creek for about 300m, to cross a small rocky tidal creek[129]. The track then continues through the tall forest[130] beside Mooney Mooney Creek for about 600m, passing a couple of she-oak stands[131] before the track then bends left and comes to an indistinct intersection[132] beside a timber and metal footbridge[133].
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk cross the timber and metal footbridge[134] over a tidal, unnamed creek[135] to then turn right and follow the track which soon bends left. Keeping Mooney Mooney Creek to the right[136], this track passes a small cliff[137] then follows the mostly flat track through the tall forest[138] for about 170m to come to a large clearing with tall blue gums[139] and a metal fireplace[140] (on your left), signposted as a ‘Camping area’[141].

Mooney Mooney Creek Campsite (north)

This signposted[142] campsite is sits among the tall eucalypt and bracken fern forest[143] beside the Mooney Mooney Creek. This is a very pleasant flat clearing to spend a night, there is a small metal fireplace hotplate[144] and room for a small number of tents. There is No drinking water or other facilities at this campsite (Mooney Mooney Creek is salty at this point, treatable water may be found about 2km north).

(13.49km) Mooney Mooney Creek Campsite (north) → Ausburn Creek crossing

1.2 km
22 mins
30m
-18m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the campsite[145], this walk follows the clear track north, keeping the wide Mooney Mooney Creek to your right. The clear, wide and mostly flat track leads alongside the creek[146] for about 1.2km to come to the southern bank of Ausburn Creek[147] (about 130m past a rock wall[148], on your left), a few metres above its confluence with Mooney Mooney Creek[149]

(14.71km) Ausburn Creek crossing → Mooney Mooney Creek crossing

860 m
22 mins
64m
-54m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the south bank of Ausburn Creek, this walk crosses the narrow rock platform and creek[150], then follows the track fairly steeply uphill[151] for about 200m. At the top of this climb, the track gently undulates[152] alongside Mooney Mooney Creek for about 700m before heading down to find a large rock platform[153] on the western bank of Mooney Mooney Creek. This large rock platform is a natural ford of the perennial Mooney Mooney Creek[154] and is home to a scattering of small and large waterholes[155].

(15.56km) Mooney Mooney Creek crossing → Lower Mooney Mooney Dam

1.2 km
28 mins
71m
-44m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the bank of Mooney Mooney Creek, this walk crosses the wide rock platform[156] and creek[157] to find the track again on the other side[158]. This creek may become impassable after heavy or prolonged rain. Here the walk turns left and follows the rocky track that leads gently up alongside the creek through the pleasant forest[159]. After a little over 1km, the walk comes into view of the tailwater of the dam[160] and then past a fenced cutting[161] (on your right), the site of an old pump house[162]. About 60m past this fenced area, the walk leads up along the now widening track to find the edge of the fenced lower Mooney Mooney Dam wall[163].

Lower Mooney Dam

Lower Mooney Dam is located on the Mooney Mooney Creek, about 21 km upstream from the Hawkesbury River. In March 1938 the Gosford Mayor turned the tap to add the water from this dam into the small town water supply of the time. It is a concrete arch dam, with a capacity of 1,000 megalitres, and was superseded by the more than 4 times larger ‘Upper Mooney Dam’ in 1982. There is a set of timber steps and a faint track that leads down to the waters edge on the uphill side of the dam wall[167], the dam wall is fenced and is clearly out of bounds[168]. A sign reminds visitors that swimming is not allowed[169].

(16.78km) Lower Mooney Mooney Dam → Quarry Camping Area

2.2 km
53 mins
180m
-35m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the lower Mooney Mooney Dam[170], this walk heads uphill along the old trail[171], initially keeping the water on your left. The trail leads up, enjoying the occasional glimpse of water[172] (on your left) for about 400m to pass a washed-out section of the old trail[173]. From here, the walk continues up along the trail for about 1.3km, getting steeper as it climbs, and comes to a three-way intersection marked with a ‘Mooney Creek’ sign[174] pointing back downhill.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Reserve Road’ sign[175] uphill along the old trail, initially keeping the valley to your left[176]. After about 180m, this walk comes to a faint intersection marked with a ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[177].
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[178] downhill along the track for about 50m, to crosses a small pleasant gully[179] with an ephemeral creek[180]. After this, the track starts to wind moderately steeply uphill[181] then, soon after flatting out, it comes to a signposted ‘Camping Area’[182] with a metal fireplace[183].

Quarry Camping Area

This is a small signposted campsite set among heath, grass tress, scribbly gums and aother eucalpyts[184]. The clearing is flat and sandy and provides room to set up a few tents with and a small metal fireplace with hotplate[185]. There is no water or other facilites here.

(18.97km) Quarry Camping Area → Quarry gate

590 m
11 mins
14m
-4m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From in front of the ‘camping area’[186], this walk heads gently uphill along the sandy track[187], initially keeping the camping area to your right. After about 220m of walking through this scribbly gum forest[188] and passing a small informal campsite[189] on the way, this walk comes to the quarry boundary fence[190] and turns left[191]. Following the fence for about 70m, the track leads to a section of timber boardwalk[192] with a view (right) over parts of the quarry[193]. The walk continues along the fence for just over 250m, crossing a small flat timber bridge[194] to come an intersection with a dirt road[195] (just past the locked gate).

(19.57km) Quarry gate → South end of Robinson Crk Track

1.7 km
34 mins
52m
-52m

Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows GNW arrow marker[196] gently downhill along the dirt road[197]. This walk follows the road for about 400m to come to a large clearing with two large water reservoirs tanks[198]. This walk continues past the two reservoirs[199] (and past the treatment plant building[200], on your left) to come to a ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[201] just in front of a small brick building[202].
Continue straight: From the brick building[203], this walk follows the ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[204] gently downhill along the gravel trail (away from the water tanks) for a few metres before turning right onto a track, following a GNW arrow post[205]. This track leads through the banksia and she-oak forest[206] for just over 100m to pass a ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[207] and then cross Reservoir Rd[208]. On the other side of the road, this track continues gently down through the she-oak (Casuarina glauca) forest[209] for about 150m before crossing a metal footbridge[210]. On the other side of the bridge, this walk turns left and follows the track as it winds down through the heathy bushland, alive with wildflowers[211] in spring, for about 400m and crosses a small ephemeral creek[212]. The track then leads under a set of high tension power lines and then bends right and leads gently up for another 20m, coming to an intersection with a power line management trail[213].
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the management trail uphill[214], keeping the power lines just to your right. After about 40m, this walk follows the GNW arrow post left[215] (ignoring the ‘Private Property’[216] trail ahead) as the track winds gently uphill for about 250m before veering left, ignoring another ‘Private Property’ track[217] (on your right). The mostly flat track now leads along the side of the hill[218] for about 100m before passing under another set of power lines[219] and leading right, steeply up the short rocky hill[220]. At the top of this hill, the track leads to the end of a trail[221], but immediately veers right[222] to follow a track along a fence for about 60m before rejoining the same power line management trail[223].

(21.28km) South end of Robinson Crk Track → North end of Robinson Crk Track

1.3 km
31 mins
81m
-74m

Hard track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post uphill[224] along the wide management trail, following the power lines for about 100m before veering left to follow another GNW arrow post[225] along a narrow track.
The track leads into the bush among gymea lilies[226] (Doryanthes excelsa) and eucalypts[228] for almost 300m, crossing a couple of short flat timber bridges[229] to then head along a few sections of timber board walk through a weedy section[230] of bush. The track then continues gently downhill for another 150m to cross over a trail[231]. Following the GNW arrow post, this track now begins to lead more steeply down for about 250m, passing through another large grove of gymea lilies[232], a small cave[233] (on your left). The walk continues down the timber then stone steps[234] to head into the dense moist forest and across a flat timber bridge[235], coming into view of the creek[236]. Here the walk bends right and leads beside the creek for a short time before bending left, following the GNW arrow post across the creek flowing over the mossy rock bed[237]. Just downstream is a small pool and cascade[238].
Here the walk starts to climb up the other side of the valley[239], soon crossing a small flat timber bridge[240]. The track then winds steeply[241] out of the ferny and densely forested valley, up a series of timber and stone steps for about 130m where another GNW arrow post marks[242] the end of this section of steep climbing. This track now leads gently up among some tall eucalypts[243] and past a large grove of gymea lily[244] for about 230m to come to a T-intersection[245] with a wide management trail.

(22.55km) North end of Robinson Crk Track → Int of GNW and Private Property

540 m
10 mins
22m
0m

Moderate track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post uphill[246] along the wide sandy trail for about 40m to pass a faint trail[247] (on your right). Then about 120m further up the main trail, this walk comes a T-intersection[248] marked with a couple more GNW arrow posts.
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[249] gently uphill along the sandy trail[250]. The trail soon leaves the wooded forest and after about 120m, this walk veers left at an intersection in a clearing[251]. After another 120m, the walk heads past a large grassy clearing[252] (on your right) with some tall pine trees[253]. The sandy trail continues for another 150m, past a few scribbly gums[254], and comes to a Y-intersection marked with a ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[255] (pointing left).

(23.08km) Int of Great North Walk and Private Property → End of Robinson Road

400 m
7 mins
1m
-14m

Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[256] along the track, initially keeping the sandy trail to the right for a short distance. The track soon bends left, then winds over a small rise through the scribbly gum forest[257] for about 400m before heading over a short section of green boardwalk[258]. A short distance later, this walk crosses a green timber footbridge[259] and comes to an intersection at the end of the dirt Robinson Road[260].

(23.48km) End of Robinson Road → Somersby Store

2.7 km
50 mins
80m
-21m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[261] uphill along the gravel Robinson Rd for about 300m to then continue straight ahead[262] along the sealed Silvester Rd. This walk heads along the sealed road for another 500m to pass an intersection with ‘Anembo Rd’[263], then continues along Silvester Rd. Over the next 1km or so, the walk travels among the rural properties[264], passing some distant views of the peaks in Brisbane Water NP[265] (to your right), before turning left onto Wisemans Ferry Road at the T-intersection[266]. From this intersection, this walk leads up along the narrow grassy verge beside[267] the road for about 500m to pass the large communications[268] tower (on your right), heads over the crest of the hill then down for about 250m to come to Somersby Store[269] (on your left).

Somersby Store

Somersby Store offers a good place to have lunch or pick up the basic food supplies. The store serves hot food including burgers, chips, pies etc and cold drinks. Opening hours are 6am – 6pm Monday to Friday and 6.30am to 4pm on Saturdays (closed Sundays). There is a pay phone and a bus stop however services are limited to two buses a day. Contact details are (02)4372 1269, at 841 Wisemans Ferry Road Somersby, NSW 2250. The store owners are happy for you to phone ahead. If you are a large group you can order ahead to save the stress. I always encourage people to use local stores like this on track, but since it is a small store it is worth phoning ahead to see what they have what you want in stock.

Maps for the Wondabyne station to Somersby Store walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Gunderman	1:25 000 Map Series	91313S GUNDERMAN	NSW-91313S
Gosford	1:25 000 Map Series	91312S GOSFORD	NSW-91312S
Wyong	1:25 000 Map Series	91312N WYONG	NSW-91312N
Gosford	1:100 000 Map Series	9131 GOSFORD	9131

Cross sectional view of the Wondabyne station to Somersby Store bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Wondabyne station to Somersby Store

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	26.2 km
		Time	10 hrs
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

8km of this walk has short steep hills and another 7km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 7km is very steep and the remaining 4.1km is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

11km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 9km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. Whilst another 3.9km follows a smooth and hardened path and the remaining 2.4km follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

17km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 7km is clearly signposted. The remaining (2.4km) has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

15km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience and another 10km requires some bushwalking experience. The remaining (1.3km) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 24km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 1.9km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

20km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) and another 5km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced). The remaining (1.3km) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Wondabyne station to Somersby Store walk starts at the Wondabyne Station (gps: -33.492083, 151.25696)
Your main transport option to Wondabyne Station is by;

Train. (get details)
Important Note: There is no car transport option to the start of this walk.

The Wondabyne station to Somersby Store ends at the Somersby Store (gps: -33.358081, 151.29029)
Your transport options to Somersby Store are by;
Bus. A bus service runs along Wisemans Ferry Rd passing Somersby store. The service runs between Gosford and Spencer only a few times a day. Please check timetable for more info or Phone Busway on (02) 4368 2277. The bus only picks passengers up to head to Somersby on the afternoon runs. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.
(get details)

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-bwnp-wstss
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

Forecast snapshot

Park Information & Alerts

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_park_closure.php?walkid=nsw-bwnp-wstss

Download Pdf

Open iPhone app

Short URL = http://wild.tl/wstss

Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)

Pindar Cave

And Walk

Pindar Cave

Download & Print Map and Notes

This great walk goes to some amazing places. Pindar Lookout, Pool and Cave are the greatest features of the walk, with each feature deserving of its own unique track. The walk takes off from the tiny Wondabyne Station to climb onto the plateau and continues along the ridge line to Mt Pindar. The walk passes over rocky terrain with many spider webs across the track. Unless you come by water, the only access is by train, you cannot drive to the start of this walk.* This walk passes through very remote areas and sections have no visible track. At least one person in your group should have training and experience in off track walking and navigation. Even with these notes and a GPS these extra skills and equipment are required.

Wondabyne

(0km) Wondabyne Station → Clearing above Wondabyne Station

440 m
13 mins
100m
-15m

Hard track

(0.44km) Clearing above Wondabyne Station → Eastern end of the Pindar Cave Track

1 km
19 mins
72m
-3m

Hard track

Continue straight: From the clearing[14], this walk follows the wide management trail uphill past the ‘Brisbane Water National Park’ sign[15]. The trail leads up quite steeply[16] for about 250m, where the trail bends right then leads gently uphill[17] for about 600m. Here the trail leads up a short but quite steep hill[18], to then bend left and, about 150m later, come to an intersection with the Pindar Cave track (that leads over a rock platform[19], on your left), marked with a GNW arrow post[20] (on your right).

(1.47km) Int. Rifle Range Service Track and Pindar Cave Track → Mt Pindar Lookout

3.5 km
1 hr 12 mins
129m
-129m

Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the wide track to the west, keeping the large rocky outcrop to the right. The trail soon narrows to become an overgrown track and undulates for some time, through some rocky and dense scrub. Eventually, the track swings around to the north and arrives at the Mt Pindar Lookout, indicated by arrows marked in the surface that lead to the lookout, with views of Mooney Mooney, and Mooney Mooney Creek.

Mt Pindar lookout

From the rocky perch of Mt Pindar, Brisbane Waters National Park, you can enjoy views over Mullet Creek, Dangar Island and the Hawkesbery River. This is an informal lookout, with no fencing or other facilities.

(4.97km) Mt Pindar Lookout → Pool

480 m
9 mins
2m
-25m

Experienced only

Turn right: From the lookout, the walk follows the bush track north, around the edge of the ridge around a few rocks. The track then descends north-west into the valley below, continuing through areas of thick vegetation, until emerging onto a small clearing next to a pool of water.

Pindar Pool

The pool between Mt Pindar and Pindar Cave is an ephemeral (short-lived, unreliable) waterhole. The pool is a refreshing place for a swim when full, with many birds enjoying the area too. The pool is a 10m by 5m tub which is quite deep. Being ephemeral, it is not always full of water.

(5.45km) Pool → Pindar Cave

320 m
6 mins
12m
-6m

Experienced only

Turn left: From the pool, the walk follows the bush track west, into a small sandy clearing. The track then turns right, below a rocky outcrop on the left, and follows the rocky outcrop for approximately 100m to the large overhang of rock, Pindar Cave.

Pindar Cave

Pindar Cave, Brisbane Waters National Park, is a large expanse of overhanging rock. The cave is made by a sandstone overhang of 15m, which spans approximately 50m along the hillside. The floor of the cave is a good spot for a sleep, while the roof of the cave is black from many campfires. Access to water is relatively good, however the waterfall and nearby pool are ephemeral (transient) streams with irregular and unreliable water patterns.

(5.77km) Pindar Cave → Waterfall

570 m
12 mins
10m
-57m

Very experienced only

Continue straight: From Pindar Cave, this walk heads north-west, parallel to a rocky outcrop. After following the cliff line for a little while, the track bends slightly to the right, and heads north-west, crossing several rocky outcrops, going down towards the creek line. The track then drops down some rockshelves to the waterfall. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn left .

Pindar Waterfall

Pindar Waterfall, Brisbane Waters National Park, is a rocky outcrop from which a vegetation enclosed stream runs over and through. The waterfall is not a picturesque spot, with the water running through dense vegetation and cracks in the boulders to pools out-of-sight. The waterfall is fed by an ephemeral stream which will does not guarantee it as a source of water. From the rocky outcrop of the waterfall, views over the valley below can be observed.

Maps for the Pindar Cave walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Gunderman	1:25 000 Map Series	91313S GUNDERMAN	NSW-91313S
Gosford	1:25 000 Map Series	91312S GOSFORD	NSW-91312S
Gosford	1:100 000 Map Series	9131 GOSFORD	9131

Cross sectional view of the Pindar Cave bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Pindar Cave

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	11.5 km
		Time	6 hrs
		.
Grade 5/6 Experienced only	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Rough unclear track (5/6)
		Signs	No directional signs (5/6)
		Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 5km of this walk is very steep, whilst the remaining 320m has short steep hills.

Quality of track

3.5km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and another 1km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. Whilst another 800m follows a rough unclear track and the remaining 440m follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

3.5km of this walk has minimal directional signs and another 1.5km has directional signs at most intersection. The remaining (800m) Has no directional signs.

Experience Required

4.5km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience and another 800m requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience. The remaining (440m) requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 6km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

4.3km of this walk has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) and another 1km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced). The remaining (440m) is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Pindar Cave walk starts and ends at the Wondabyne Station (gps: -33.492083, 151.25696)
Your main transport option to Wondabyne Station is by;

Train. (get details)
Important Note: There is no car transport option to the start of this walk.

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-bwnp-pc
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

Forecast snapshot

Park Information & Alerts

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_park_closure.php?walkid=nsw-bwnp-pc

Wondabyne station to Somersby Store overnight

And Walk

Wondabyne station to Somersby Store overnight

Download & Print Map and Notes

Wondabyne

(0km) Wondabyne Station → Eastern end of the Pindar Cave Track

1.5 km
32 mins
172m
-18m

Hard track

(1.47km) Eastern end of the Pindar Cave Track → Int of GNW and Wondabyne Station tracks

630 m
11 mins
19m
-5m

Moderate track

(2.1km) Int of GNW and Wondabyne trail → Int of GNW and Gosford Rifle Range trail

1.1 km
22 mins
27m
-40m

Moderate track

(3.23km) South end of Scopas Peak Track → Scopas Peak

1.2 km
23 mins
80m
-14m

Hard track

(4.39km) Scopas Peak → Tributary Crossing

2.4 km
57 mins
33m
-189m

Hard track

(6.81km) Tributary Crossing → Phil Houghton Bridge

940 m
30 mins
65m
-129m

Hard track

Phil Houghton Bridge

(7.75km) Phil Houghton Bridge → Brisbane Water NP sign

1.8 km
36 mins
62m
-66m

Moderate track

(9.54km) Brisbane Water NP sign → Mooney Mooney Creek Trackhead

540 m
11 mins
26m
-2m

Moderate track

(10.07km) Mooney Mooney Creek Trackhead → National Park Gate

1.5 km
27 mins
31m
-53m

Easy track

(11.57km) National Park Gate → Mooney Mooney Creek Campsite (south)

600 m
13 mins
25m
-25m

Moderate track

Mooney Mooney Creek Campsite (south)

(12.17km) Mooney Mooney Creek Campsite (south) → Mooney Mooney Creek Campsite (north)

1.3 km
24 mins
29m
-28m

Moderate track

Mooney Mooney Creek Campsite (north)

End of day 1

This is the planned overnight stay for the end of day 1, happy camping.

(13.49km) Mooney Mooney Creek Campsite (north) → Ausburn Creek crossing

1.2 km
22 mins
30m
-18m

Moderate track

(14.71km) Ausburn Creek crossing → Mooney Mooney Creek crossing

860 m
22 mins
64m
-54m

Moderate track

(15.56km) Mooney Mooney Creek crossing → Lower Mooney Mooney Dam

1.2 km
28 mins
71m
-44m

Moderate track

Lower Mooney Dam

(16.78km) Lower Mooney Mooney Dam → Quarry Camping Area

2.2 km
53 mins
180m
-35m

Moderate track

Quarry Camping Area

(18.97km) Quarry Camping Area → Quarry gate

590 m
11 mins
14m
-4m

Moderate track

(19.57km) Quarry gate → South end of Robinson Crk Track

1.7 km
34 mins
52m
-52m

Moderate track

(21.28km) South end of Robinson Crk Track → North end of Robinson Crk Track

1.3 km
31 mins
81m
-74m

Hard track

(22.55km) North end of Robinson Crk Track → Int of GNW and Private Property

540 m
10 mins
22m
0m

Moderate track

(23.08km) Int of Great North Walk and Private Property → End of Robinson Road

400 m
7 mins
1m
-14m

Moderate track

(23.48km) End of Robinson Road → Somersby Store

2.7 km
50 mins
80m
-21m

Moderate track

Somersby Store

Maps for the Wondabyne station to Somersby Store overnight walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Gunderman	1:25 000 Map Series	91313S GUNDERMAN	NSW-91313S
Gosford	1:25 000 Map Series	91312S GOSFORD	NSW-91312S
Wyong	1:25 000 Map Series	91312N WYONG	NSW-91312N
Gosford	1:100 000 Map Series	9131 GOSFORD	9131

Cross sectional view of the Wondabyne station to Somersby Store overnight bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Wondabyne station to Somersby Store overnight

Daily actual walking time estimates

Day	Walking Time	Length
1	4 hrs 46 mins	13.5 km
2	4 hrs 28 mins	12.7 km

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	26.2 km
		Time	2 Days
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	Moderate level of bushwalking experience recommended (4/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

8km of this walk has short steep hills and another 7km has gentle hills with occasional steps. Whilst another 7km is very steep and the remaining 4.1km is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

Signs

17km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 7km is clearly signposted. The remaining (2.4km) has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

weather

Infrastructure

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Wondabyne station to Somersby Store overnight walk starts at the Wondabyne Station (gps: -33.492083, 151.25696)
Your main transport option to Wondabyne Station is by;

Train. (get details)
Important Note: There is no car transport option to the start of this walk.

The Wondabyne station to Somersby Store overnight ends at the Somersby Store (gps: -33.358081, 151.29029)
Your transport options to Somersby Store are by;
Bus. A bus service runs along Wisemans Ferry Rd passing Somersby store. The service runs between Gosford and Spencer only a few times a day. Please check timetable for more info or Phone Busway on (02) 4368 2277. The bus only picks passengers up to head to Somersby on the afternoon runs. (get details)
Car. There is free parking available.
(get details)

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-bwnp-wstsso
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

Forecast snapshot

Park Information & Alerts

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_park_closure.php?walkid=nsw-bwnp-wstsso

Download Pdf

Open iPhone app

Short URL = http://wild.tl/wstsso

Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)

Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls

And Walk

Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls

Download & Print Map and Notes

Girrakool Picnic Area

(0km) Girrakool picnic area car park → Illoura Lookout

270 m
6 mins
0m
-33m

Easy track

From the lower side of the car park, this walk follows the ‘To The Great North Walk’ sign down the path to the lower picnic area. The walk passes the toilet block (on the left) and comes to another picnic area. The path passes through this picnic area to turn right following the ‘Piles Creek Loop Track’ sign down the steps. The footpath then leads to an intersection with the Broula Lookout track (on the left) and a ‘car park’ sign pointing back up the hill.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Girrakool Loop’ sign down along the stone path. The path soon heads down some steps and comes to a fenced and signposted ‘Illoura Lookout’.

Illoura Lookout

(0.27km) Illoura Lookout → Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks

1.1 km
27 mins
47m
-83m

Moderate track

(1.38km) Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks → Piles Ck Lookout

20 m
1 mins
0m
-8m

Moderate track

Piles Creek Lookout

(1.38km) Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks → Monolith Cave

80 m
2 mins
16m
0m

Moderate track

Monolith Cave

(1.46km) Monolith Cave → Rat Gully Lookout

220 m
7 mins
13m
-29m

Moderate track

(1.68km) Rat Gully Lookout → Tributary Crossing

1 km
29 mins
96m
-81m

Hard track

(2.69km) Tributary Crossing → Scopas Peak

2.4 km
57 mins
189m
-33m

Hard track

Continue straight: From the west side of the creek, this walk climbs uphill following the rocky track[11]. The track climb for about 600m, fairly steeply for a while then becoming progressively less steep[12]. The track passes a couple of rocky outcrops[13] to then come to a large flat rock platform, with distant views[14]. The rocky track then leads off this rock platform and continues up the ridge[15] for just shy of 300m to come to the edge of a much larger rock platform[16] with more views. A series of GNW arrow posts lead across this rock platform, generally leading towards Scopas Peak[17] for about 400m where the arrows lead off the rock platform and back onto a heathy track[18]. Keeping Scopas Peak up to the left, this track leads around the side of the hill for about 150m to pass a view across the valley to Mooney Mooney Bridge[19]. Over the next 800m, the track leads up across a few more rock platforms[20] then climbs fairly steeply up to a view point, just to the west of Scopas Peak[21].

(5.11km) Scopas Peak → South end of Scopas Peak Track

1.2 km
23 mins
14m
-80m

Hard track

Veer left: From the view point[22], just west of Scopas Peak, this walk heads south steeply down the rocky track[23], initially keeping the distant view to your right. The track leads steeply down past a few rock walls[24] then climbs down over some rocks with cut steps[25], enjoying more views[26] for about 230m, and then the track mostly flattens out to lead gently down across the narrow saddle[27]. The track gently undulates along this ridge for about 750m to come to a green painted metal box on a post (on your left), containing a Great North Walk intentions book[28].
Continue straight: From the Great North Walk intentions book[29], after leaving your comments, this walk heads south, gently downhill[30] along the clear track. After about 150m, the walk comes to a T-intersection[31] with the Gosford Rifle Range trail – At this intersection is a ‘Girrakool’ sign[32], pointing back along the track.

(6.27km) Int of GNW and Gosford Rifle Range trail → Myron Brook crossing

2.7 km
58 mins
76m
-205m

Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[33] downhill along the management trail[34] (directly away from the ‘No Entry Past This Point’ sign[35]). The trail undulates moderately steeply in a few places) along the ridge line for about 900m, to then walk over a large rock platform[36]. From the top of this platform, there are some distant views over Mooney Mooney Creek[37]. On the large rock platform, this walk tends left to follow the scrape marks on the rock and soon find the wide trail again[38]. The trail leads downhill for about 50m, coming to a signposted intersection with a track on your left[39] and a ‘Girrakool’ sign[40] pointing back up the trail.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Patonga’ sign[41] heading east down along the rocky track[42]. The track soon bends right and heads around a rock outcrop[43] then continues down through the heath and scribbly gums[44] for about 400m to come to a flat rock platform[45]. Here the track continues downhill over several more rock platforms, becoming progressively steeper[46] for just over 1km to head into the cool valley and come to the bank beside Myron Brook[47].

(8.96km) Myron Brook crossing → Kariong Brook crossing

400 m
11 mins
28m
-33m

Hard track

Continue straight: From the western side of Myron Brook, this walk crosses the creek on the sandstone rock platform[48] to follow the track up a few stone steps and up the short steep hill[49]. The track then flattens out as it leads around the side of the hill for about 200m to pass alongside a long rock wall[50] (on your left). Now leading downhill, the track continues for another 100m then heads down a short steep section[51] into the dense moist gully, coming to a faint intersection in front of Kariong Brook Falls[52] (on your left) (just before crossing the creek, which is often underground).

Kariong Brook Falls

(9.36km) Kariong Brook crossing → Int of the Great North Walk and Patonga service trail

690 m
24 mins
122m
-21m

Hard track

Continue straight: From Kariong Brook[53], the walk crosses the creek and heads up the hill towards the cave[54] (keeping the waterfall[55] to the left). The track leads under the overhang[56] and then winds up the rocky path for about 400m, past a few rock walls[57] and among the grass trees[58]. The walk then heads up some more stone steps, bending left on the steps with a metal handrail[59]. The rocky track continues up for another 130m over a few more rocks[60] to come to a flat clearing[61] (on your right, that has been used as a campsite). From the clearing, the track continues uphill, passing another rocky outcrop[62] after about 60m, then after about 80m more, the track leads to a T-intersection[63] with a management trail (and a sign pointing back to ‘Girrakool’[64]).

(10.05km) Int of the Great North Walk and Patonga service trail → Int of Great North Walk and Thommos Loop service trail

1.2 km
24 mins
48m
-19m

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads north-east following the ‘Staples Lookout’ sign along the management trail. The walk steadily climbs uphill until to comes to a long rock platform with good views of the valley (to the left)

(11.26km) Rock platform → Int of Great North Walk and Woy Woy Road

620 m
13 mins
35m
-3m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the rock platform, this walk heads north east along the management trail, keeping the main valley views to the left. The trail winds up the hill to come to a four-way intersection with the power line management trail and a ‘Thommas Loop’ (sign pointing back down the hill).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill following the service trail, past the National Park gate to the intersection of Woy Woy Road.

(11.88km) Int of Thommos Trail and Woy Woy Road → Staples Lookout

370 m
7 mins
13m
0m

Easy track

Turn left: From the intersection, heads along Woy Woy Road passing the large brown ‘Scenic Lookout 300m’ sign. The walk crosses the road (where safe) and crosses a grassy area to come to the car park and signposted Staples Lookout.

Staples Lookout

Staples Lookout beside Woy Woy Road, is a fenced lookout providing good views east across the Central Coast, the Brisbane Water and out to the ocean. There is a large car park and picnic tables, with plenty of natural shade. The lookout was named as a tribute to Charles J Staples, a pioneer of route that Woy Woy Rd now follows[65]. The lookout was constructed in 1955 by the Rotary Club of Woy Woy[66]. An inscription at the lookout quotes ‘and I shall meditate on your wondrous works’ from Psalm 119:27.

Maps for the Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.
These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Gunderman	1:25 000 Map Series	91313S GUNDERMAN	NSW-91313S
Gosford	1:25 000 Map Series	91312S GOSFORD	NSW-91312S
Gosford	1:100 000 Map Series	9131 GOSFORD	9131

Cross sectional view of the Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	12.3 km
		Time	5 hrs 30 mins
		.
Grade 4/6 Hard track	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
		Quality of track	Rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely (4/6)
		Signs	Minimal directional signs (4/6)
		Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
		Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

6km of this walk is very steep and another 3km has short steep hills. Whilst another 2.7km has gentle hills with occasional steps and the remaining 130m is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

5km of this walk follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely and another 4.6km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (2.6km) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

7km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection and another 3.5km has minimal directional signs. The remaining (2.2km) is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

Around 8km of this walk requires some bushwalking experience, whilst the remaining 4.7km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 11km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 1.7km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 9km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 3.5km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls walk starts at the Girrakool picnic area car park (gps: -33.43168, 151.2766)
Your main transport option to Girrakool picnic area car park is by;

Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.
(get details)

The Girrakool to Staples Lookout via Kariong Brook Falls ends at the Staples Lookout (gps: -33.471741, 151.2883)
Your main transport option to Staples Lookout is by;
Car. There is free parking available.
(get details)

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-bwnp-gtslvkbf
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

Forecast snapshot

Park Information & Alerts

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_park_closure.php?walkid=nsw-bwnp-gtslvkbf

Download Pdf

Open iPhone app

Short URL = http://wild.tl/gtslvkbf

Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)

Patonga to Wondabyne station via Pindar Caves overnight

And Walk

Patonga to Wondabyne station via Pindar Caves overnight

Download & Print Map and Notes

This overnight hike starts from Patonga beach and winds along a section of the Great North Walk, into the Brisbane Waters National Park. The walk climbs up and around the Warra reserve headland, continuing to Wondabyne station via Pindar Caves. The overnight stay is at the Mt Wondabyne campsite. There is no water available at the campsite so you will nee to carry sufficient supplies for both days.* This walk passes through very remote areas and sections have no visible track. At least one person in your group should have training and experience in off track walking and navigation. Even with these notes and a GPS these extra skills and equipment are required.

(0km) Patonga Wharf car park → Broken Bay View

1.1 km
31 mins
136m
-13m

Moderate track

From the car park[1] at Patonga wharf[2], this walk follows the footpath beside Patonga Drive[3], keeping the water on the right. The road leads out of town passing beside ‘Eve Williams Memorial Oval’[4][5][6] for 70m to find a large ‘The Great North Walk’ sign[7] opposite the toilet block[8]. Soon after this sign, this walk turns right following the ‘Boat Ramp’ sign and GNW arrow post[9] down along a side road[10] for 220m to find a parking area beside Patonga’s boat ramp[11]. (Alternatively it is possible to walk along the sandy beach[12] from the wharf to the boat ramp.)
Continue straight: From the boat ramp, this walk follows the power lines across the car park, keeping the water to the right. The walk heads around the gate and continues to follow the power lines across the sand, coming to the eastern end of Patonga Beach and the ‘Brisbane Water National Park’ sign[13]. This area of the beach is also know as ‘Dark Corner’.
Continue straight: From the eastern end of Patonga beach, this walk follows the ‘Warrah Trig 1.7km’ sign[15] up the steps. The track winds up the side on the hill, turning left and following the ridge line uphill. Soon after passing up some stairs between the rock, the track comes to a lovely view across the water. Here, the track turns left and climbs up more steps before flattening out and passing a few more GNW arrows. Just after passing two GNW arrows next to each other (at the end of a large crack in the rock), the track passes a few large Sydney Red Gums and comes to an unfenced rock platform on the right – Broken Bay view.

(1.12km) Broken Bay View → Warrah Lookout intersection

700 m
15 mins
26m
-26m

Moderate track

Veer left: From the Broken Bay view, this walk follows Great North Walk arrows uphill along the track. The track winds gently through the bush, with the occasional water glimpse to the right. After a short time, the track comes to a clear intersection with the Pearl Beach / Patonga fire trail with a sign pointing back to ‘Patonga’[16].
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the Great North Walk arrow downhill along the wide management trail. After about 250m, the trail passes a track on the right (marked with 5 large boulders – this informal track leads to an unfenced view). The walk continues along the management trail for another 100m and comes to an intersection near the Warrah Lookout, and a sign pointing back to ‘Patonga’[17].

(1.82km) Warrah Lookout intersection → Warrah Lookout

70 m
2 mins
0m
-12m

Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads between the timber posts and follows the ‘Warrah Lookout’ sign[18] along the sandstone footpath. The path leads through the bush for a short distance, coming to the fenced Warrah Lookout. (Beware of informal side tracks that lead to unfenced sections of cliff.) At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.

Warrah Lookout

(1.82km) Warrah Lookout intersection → Warrah Trig Station

310 m
7 mins
39m
0m

Easy track

Turn left : From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Tony Doyle Track, Warrah Car Park’ sign[19] up the sandstone steps and footpath. After winding through and over some rock platforms, the path leads up the hill to two sets of timber staircases. At the top of the second set, the walk comes to the old Warrah Trig station (a green metal post).

Warrah Trig Station

(2.13km) Warrah Trig Station → Warrah car park

30 m
1 mins
0m
0m

Easy track

Continue straight: From Warrah Trig Station, this walk follows the sandstone steps and footpath down the hill towards the dirt road. The path soon passes a plaque and a sign pointing back along the ‘Tony Doyle Track’[21] and comes to the Warrah car park.

(2.16km) Warrah Car Park → Int of Great North Walk and Patonga Dr

1.5 km
27 mins
25m
-18m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From Warrah car park, this walk follows the road off the sealed section and along the dirt. The road passes a larger dirt overflow car park, then ignores an old trail (on the right) to soon come to an intersection with a management trail and gate on the left side.
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the dirt road north up a long and gentle hill. The road leads to an intersection with a track on the right marked with a Great North Walk arrow about 30m before Patonga Drive.
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow marker around the drainage ditch[22] to follow the track running parallel to Patonga Drive (keeping the road about 20m to your left). The track leads through the heath and scribbly gum forest[23] for about 100m before passing some distant ocean views[24] (on your right), where the track continues for another 150m to come to the sealed Patonga Drive[25]. Here the walk follows the GNW arrow post[26] across the road to a locked gate and management trail[27], marked with a ‘Great North Walk’ sign[28].

(3.68km) Int of Great North Walk and Patonga Dr → Rock platform intersection

870 m
14 mins
5m
-16m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Great North Walk’ sign[29] around the locked gate[30] to follow the management trail[31] away from the road. After about 100m, this walk comes to a clear three-way intersection[32] marked with sign pointing back to ‘Patonga’[33].
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Girrakool’ sign[34] gently up along the wide trail. After about 200m, the trail bends left[35], then leads gently down for another 100m, coming to an intersection[36] where the main trail bends right (and with the narrower Patonga Creek trail ahead), marked with a GNW arrow post[37].
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post north along the wide sandy management trail. The trail leads among the heath and large scribbly gums[38] for about 270m to come to T-intersection[39] with another wide trail[40], marked with a ‘Patonga’ sign[41] pointing back up along the trail.
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Girrakool’ sign[42] downhill along the management trail. Over the next 200m, the trail gently bends right then comes to an intersection (just before a large open rock platform[43]), marked with a ‘Girrakool’ sign[44] (pointing right).

(4.55km) Int of Hawkesbury track and Patonga Dr trail → Int of Hawkesbury track and Sani Depot Trail

1.1 km
21 mins
25m
-39m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Girrakool’ sign[45] east uphill along the management trail[46]. The trail leads up the hill for about 25m to head over a short rock platform[47] where the trail continues fairly steeply uphill. The trail bends left[48] and then winds gently around the side of the hill[49], enjoying some views[50] along the way. The trail undulates for a while before leading gently down to pass a large clearing[51] (on your left). Just past this clearing, the trail heads down (fairly steeply at first) for about 200m to enter a tall wooded forest and come to a clear three-way intersection, marked with a ‘Sani Depot Trail’ sign[52] (on your right).

(5.67km) Int of Hawkesbury track and Sani Depot Trail → Rock Platform

1.3 km
25 mins
21m
-56m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the GNW arrow post[53] downhill along the wide trail. The trail soon leaves the tall Sydney Redgums[54] to lead down for almost 600m. The walk crosses a culverted creek[55] (with sandstone blocks[56]) and then the trail mostly flattens out[57]. Here the trail continues for another 170m leaving the tall forest to walk through the open heath[58], passing near a small cliff (on your right), to come to an intersection with the faint track[59] (on your left, this is just before the main trail bends right and starts to lead downhill again).
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the wide trail downhill[60], keeping the valley to your left. The trail winds downhill for almost 600m, crossing a couple of culverted creeks[61][62], until, just after a left-hand bend, this walk comes to a noteable rock platform[63] (with an ephemeral creek) and filtered view down the valley (to your left)[64].

(7km) Rock Platform → Woy Woy landfill view

960 m
25 mins
77m
-39m

Hard track

Continue straight: From the rock platform, this walk follows the trail north up the side of the hill. The trail leads uphill for about 25m before bending left and leading downhill

And Walk

Girrakool to Patonga

Girrakool Picnic Area

(0km) Girrakool picnic area car park → Int of Picnic Area and Girrakool Loop tracks

Easy track

(0.23km) Int of Picnic Area and Girrakool Loop tracks → Broula Lookout

Easy track

Broula Lookout

(0.23km) Int of Picnic Area and Girrakool Loop tracks → Illoura Lookout

Easy track

Illoura Lookout

(0.27km) Illoura Lookout → Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks

Moderate track

(1.38km) Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks → Piles Ck Lookout

Moderate track

Piles Creek Lookout

(1.38km) Int of Girrakool and Piles Ck lookout tracks → Monolith Cave

Moderate track

Monolith Cave

(1.46km) Monolith Cave → Rat Gully Lookout

Moderate track

(1.68km) Rat Gully Lookout → Scopas Peak

Hard track

(5.11km) Scopas Peak → Int of GNW and Wondabyne trail

Hard track

(7.4km) Int of GNW and Wondabyne Station Trail → Kariong Brook crossing

Hard track

(9.36km) Kariong Brook crossing → Int of GNW and Thommos Loop track

Hard track

(11.54km) Int of GNW and Thommos Loop trail → Int of GNW and Mt Wondabyne Peak tracks

Hard track

(13.53km) Int of Great North Walk and Mt Wondabyne Peak tracks → Mt Wondabyne Peak

Hard track

Mt Wondabyne

(13.53km) Int of Great North Walk and Mt Wondabyne Peak tracks → Mt Wondabyne Campsite

Moderate track

Mt Wondabyne Campsite

(13.62km) Mt Wondabyne Campsite → Int of Tunnel Track and Mt Wondabyne trail

Moderate track

(14.37km) Int of Tunnel Track and Mt Wondabyne trail → Woy Woy landfill view

Hard track

(16.85km) Woy Woy landfill view → Rock Platform

Hard track

(17.82km) Rock Platform → Int of Hawkesbury track and Sani Depot Trail

Moderate track

(19.15km) Int of Hawkesbury track and Sani Depot Trail → Int of Hawkesbury track and Patonga Dr trail

Moderate track

(20.26km) Rock platform intersection → Int of Rest Area and Girrakool tracks

Moderate track

(21.01km) Int of Rest Area and Girrakool tracks → Warrah Car Park

Moderate track

(22.66km) Warrah car park → Warrah Trig Station

Easy track

Warrah Trig Station

(22.69km) Warrah Trig Station → Warrah Lookout intersection

Easy track

(23km) Warrah Lookout intersection → Warrah Lookout

Easy track

Warrah Lookout

(23km) Warrah Lookout intersection → Broken Bay View

Moderate track

Broken Bay View

(23.7km) Broken Bay View → Patonga Wharf car park

Moderate track

Maps for the Girrakool to Patonga walk

Cross sectional view of the Girrakool to Patonga bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Girrakool to Patonga

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Some more details of this walks Grading

Gradient

Quality of track

Signs

Experience Required

weather

Infrastructure

Similar walks

Other Nearby walks

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

Fire Danger

Weather Forest